Nonunions of the humerus - Treatment concepts and results of the last five years / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE@#Fractures of the humerus account for 5%-8% of all fractures. Nonunion is found with an incidence of up to 15%, depending on the location of the fracture. In case of a manifest nonunion the surgeon faces a challenging problem and has to conceive a therapy based on the underlying pathology. The aim of this study was to describe our treatment concepts for this entity and present our results of the last five years.@*METHODS@#Twenty-six patients were treated for nonunion of the humerus between January 2013 and December 2017. Their charts were reviewed retrospectively and demographic data, pathology, surgical treatment and outcome were assessed.@*RESULTS@#The most frequent location for a nonunion was the humeral shaft, with the most common trauma mechanism being multiple falls. Most often atrophic nonunion (n = 14), followed by hypertrophic and infection-caused nonunion (each n = 4), were found. Our treatment concept could be applied in 19 patients, of which in 90% of those who were available for follow-up consolidation could be achieved.@*CONCLUSION@#Humeral nonunion is a heterogeneous entity that has to be analyzed precisely and be treated correspondingly. We therefore present a treatment concept based on the underlying pathology.